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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Baby Boot Camp

Grace is the most adorable little girl... with some sleeping issues. I know this is not unusual for a 5 month old. We've been doing the best we can with the baby-led approach. I'm a baby wearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama. And I'd be happy to continue waking every 2 hours to feed at night if she just woke up, fed and went back to sleep. But for some reason, Grace also has feeding issues - even though I have enough milk for triplets, she's not so impressed with what I have to offer, and isn't putting on much weight. So with some trepidation (and determination) we're off to "baby boot camp" to get a bit of routine into our lives (and hopefully help Grace put on some pudge). I'll be out of action for this coming week, but hopefully by the end of the week I'll be a new woman...

...and Grace will be a happy little camper! (These photos were taken within a minute of each other - its amazing how quickly it can all change).

I decided that a security blanket might just help Grace sleep in her own bed (am I clutching at straws?), so I whipped up this little one using Anna Maria Horner's Folksy Flannels. It's just two fat quarters sewn together pillow-slip style.

I added some soft little tags (Little Folks voile). I'm going to tuck it inside my jumper during the day so it has my smell on it.

I also made a few bibs so she's nice and stylish for our stay at Torrens House.

Good luck, Kate! My son didn't sleep through until 2 years old and woke (and then fed) every 40 minutes for 7 months, from nearly 4 months old til just after 11 months. It was exhausting and I honestly don't remember a whole lot of that year (you need sleep to make memories!).

I don't think that is an option that any mother would take lightly, especially a baby wearing, co sleeping mother and I wish you well in your week! For what it's worth a friend of mine with a similar approach to parenting went with her twin boys at a similar age after months of no sleep and was very much against CC etc, but they had wonderful results in a very gentle way.

Gosh, rambling, point is, I hope both you and Grace get some much needed rest!

I do wish you luck. These wee ones have a mind of their own and hopefully you can help her to learn that night time is for sleeping. I am a huge breastfeeding advocate, so yeah to you for doing this for you and your daughter. I'll be looking forward to hearing how she progresses.And those bibs are adorable

You'll be fine, sweetie - you are absolutely doing the right thing. Sometimes just getting away from the humdrum of life and the other kiddy winkles so that you can focus all of your attention on wee Gracie will do the world of good. I have twins - she was an angel, him not so much. They are 4 now and things are sooooooooooooooo much better. Not perfect but a million miles away from those absolute sleepless nights. Sending you all my love xxx

You'll be fine, sweetie - you are absolutely doing the right thing. Sometimes just getting away from the humdrum of life and the other kiddy winkles so that you can focus all of your attention on wee Gracie will do the world of good. I have twins - she was an angel, him not so much. They are 4 now and things are sooooooooooooooo much better. Not perfect but a million miles away from those absolute sleepless nights. Sending you all my love xxx

You are heading in the right direction, Torrens House is a wonderful place and hopefully at the end of the week you and Gracie will be in sync. It is hard to enjoy your baby when you are sleep deprived and frustrated.

Good luck, Kate! My daughter went through something similar with the sleeping issues - and found the Miracle Blanket, a swaddling system. It looks like torture, basically wrapping the baby up like a burrito, but it worked! Lilli started sleeping like a baby immediately after they started using it. Here's a link - take a look at the bottom left video to see how it works....

Love the blanky it certainly worked for Jack, he still sleeps with it and he is nearly 5 :)Can't help with ideas on either issue been very blessed with good sleepers and feeders.We did have some problems with Bi but I ended up putting her on formula at 6 months.I am glad you know where to go to get help too many mothers try to do it alone :)Good Luck